John Orman, professor who sought political office, dead at 60

Published 8:00 pm, Monday, July 6, 2009

TRUMBULL

WASHINGTON

John Orman, the Fairfield University professor who seized control of the political party U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman created to help him win re-election in 2006, has died. He was 60.

The university said in a statement issued Monday that Orman's untimely death Sunday night has left the campus in mourning. Orman, of Trumbull, was chairman of the Jesuit university's Department of Politics.

"The suddenness of his passing is especially difficult to grasp because of the vibrancy with which he lived his life," said the Rev. Jeffrey von Arx, Fairfield's president.

Orman, who had taught at Fairfield since 1978, was one of the school's best-known professors, often quoted in state and national media on various political matters. He also garnered attention for his own political activities, saying he wanted to prove to his students the importance of getting involved in politics.

"Even though it's a blowout, it still makes the American political process possible," Orman said in a 2004 Associated Press article about the motivations of dark horse candidates. "Without it, it would just be ridiculous. I give these people a lot of credit."

Lieberman, after losing the 2006 Democratic primary to Ned Lamont, created the Connecticut for Lieberman Party and won re-election as an independent.

Before Lamont jumped into the race, Orman had challenged Lieberman for the Democratic nomination out of concern that no one had yet filed paperwork to oppose the veteran senator. Orman eventually dropped out, citing Lieberman's fundraising advantage.

"There is a great national debate going on for the heart and soul of the Democratic party," Orman said in 2005. "Let the battle begin here and now in Connecticut."

After Lieberman's victory as an independent, Orman switched his party affilation from Democrat to Connecticut for Lieberman and voted himself chairman.

Orman had accused Lieberman of creating "a fake political party" to resuscitate his re-election bid for the Senate.

In 1984, Orman ran as the Democratic candidate against the late Republican U.S. Rep. Stewart McKinney, who had been a member of Congress since 1971.

At the time, the Democrats didn't have a candidate, so Orman said he decided to run.

"I ran in 1984 because I actually believed in the two-party system," he told the AP. "Even though it was a solid Republican district, I thought the least I could do is challenge the system."

Orman estimated that he gave 120 speeches in three months, balancing his full-time job as a professor with his campaign duties. In the end, he wound up winning only 30 percent of the vote, compared to McKinney's whopping 70 percent.

"I wouldn't do it again unless I had a chance to win," he said. "And since I teach Congress, I know I don't have a chance to win."

After the election, Orman invited McKinney to his classroom.

Orman leaves his wife Reenie Demkiw and two children, Natalie and Katherine.